Parkside Mission

Parkside People and Prayer Initially, all good ministry is about a group of people praying to God to enable them to love and serve others in a specific way. This is really a good idea when you think about how much good you can accomplish apart from Jesus (nothing!!). Prayer is vital because it is both the means to what we called to and the end for which we called as well. So, here are a few pictures of the people of the Parkside project and some ways you can pray with us. One of our last official events as ChristChurch Presbyterian members -- out to Mexican while the church teenagers babysat.  We are thankful for the wonderful support and friendships of the ChristChurch family.   Prayer request: For Trent, Emily and our daughters for the personal aspect of this transition. Walking and praying on the Beltline ( http://beltline.org)  with Alicia and Dan DeCrisio.  On our walk we passed million dollar (plus) homes and a few guys with all their worl...

Drive by ministry will not suffice. But if you were to simply drive through the area that we are moving to in July and will soon be serving through City Church Eastside and the Parkside Plant project, what would you discover? Well, let me do the driving for you and share a few snapshots and thoughts about the area. The first phase of our new work is exploring. We need to get our "gear" together (mainly a base of prayer and financial support) and then start surveying the area (getting to know the people and institutions that make up this interesting culture of about 30,000 people). 1.  First Stop:  The principal park in Atlanta We've initially named our new neighborhood and ministry focus "Parkside" for the neighborhoods surrounding Piedmont Park in the heart of the City of Atlanta.  Piedmont Park hosts festivals and concerts throughout the year, serving as a cultural fulcrum for greater Atlanta. 2. Morningside:  The northern territory of City Church P...

3 “I Keep Asking” Ephesians 1:15–23 Purpose: To view the model of prayer Paul offers us as he intercedes for the church. To know and be filled by God. Sometimes prayer can be like pushing a full wheelbarrow—with no wheel. At other times it's like rushing down the rapids of a mountain river. What makes the difference? In this study we'll see why Paul's prayers overflow with praise and thanksgiving. 1.   When you pray for fellow Christians, how do you usually pray for them? Give some specific examples. 2.   Read Ephesians 1:15–23. In verses 15–16 Paul says, “For this reason … I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Why is Paul so thankful in his prayers for the Ephesians? 4.   Why do you think Paul's prayers focus on wisdom, revelation and knowledge? 5.   Compare and contrast Paul's prayers with those you mentioned in answering the first question in this study. 6.   What does Paul tell us about the tremend...

Psalm 31 Sermon 3rd draft The passage of scripture we are looking at this morning is a lament Psalm of David. David may have written it about the time he faced Goliath. David could have been talking about the time when he was on the run and hiding out from King Saul.   It might be a prayer that David prayed later in his life when his own son leads a rebellion to take David’s throne. We know for sure that David is crying to the LORD for help. And then when we get the end of the prayer, he is commanding all God’s people, love the Lord. So, the Psalm focuses on two things, facing stress and loving the LORD. Stress is an in big problem for most of us. Many of you have already experienced stress today, it getting ready and making your way to church.   There is stress related to time, money, work, and relationships. We continually have more to do that we have time to do it. I don’t need to convince you that we live in a stressful world. Whether you think of the financial downturn of...

Here is a brief paper that I wrote describing the process I ideally use to prepare a sermon. Trent McEntyre Preaching III – Directed Study with Rev. Jon Adams February 7, 2009 My preaching process and how my seminary education has shaped it There are many voices vying for our attention as we go through the day. The radio weather person tells us whether or not to grab our coats. Children call for our attention as they play. The supervisor at work lectures us about business priorities. So, when someone stands up to speak about God and His word, He better be ready. In a busy, information saturated secular society standing unprepared before an audience is like fishing without gear or bait. Here is how seminary has shaped how I prepare to teach, speak, and preach in the various ministry contexts where I work. Here is an outline of a process for preparation based the development I have received through seminary: 1.        Prayer – Dr. Frank Farrell introduced ...